Spring device for producing differential movements.



g PATENTBD MAR. 12, 1907. W. V. GILBERT. SPRING DEVICE FORIPRO DUGINGDIFFERENTIAL MOVEMENTS.

/ INVENTOH 'v WALTERVGI LB EHT ATTORNEYS:

R H PATRMTRD' MAR. 12,- 1907. v W.-v. GILBERT. v SPRING DEVICE FORPRODUCING DIFFERENTIAL MOVEMENTS,

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 23.1906.

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W. v. GILBERT. SPRING DEVICE FOR PRODUCING DIFFERENTIAL MOVEME N'I'S.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 23.1906.

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1 lNVENTOl? WALTERVGILB ERT A TTOHNE rs No.846,561; PAT-ENTBD MAR. 12,1907.

W. v. GILBERT.

. SPRING DEVICE FOR PRODUCING DIFFERENTIAL MOVEMENTS.

APPLICATION FILED mm 23.1906.

W/TNE 8E8 INVENTOY? 4 I KEBVGILBERT ATTORNEYS rm: NORRIS PETERS co.WASHINGTON. n. c.

WALTER VILLA GILBERT, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

SPFHNG DEVlCE FOR PRODUCING DIFFERENTIAL MOVEMENTS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 12, 1907.

Application filed June 23, 1906. Serial No. 323,153.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER VILLA GIL- BERT, a subject of the King ofGreat Britain, residing in the city of London, England, have invented anImproved Spring Device forProducing Differential Movements, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This device is an embodiment of variations of a basic invention forwhich I have filed, May 9, 1906, an application, Serial No. 316,047, forUnited States patent. The original device is formed from a thin metalplate or other blank of resilient material by bowing it in one directionand then indenting the back, bend, or bow of the same centrally andtransversely at right angles to an imaginary line-extending from end toend and centrally of the said back or bend. In the present invention theindent is located or arranged differentlythat is to say, either at apoint removed-from the center of the back or bend of the folded plate oron a line inclined or oblique to the other diagonal extending betweenthe ends of the back, or the ends of said indent may be difierentlydistanced from said other diagonal. By such location or arrangements ofthe indent the operation of the sides or wings of the device, caused bythe application of pressure centrally at the ends or apices of the same,is so modified or varied as to produce peculiar differential movementsthat adapt the invention for new or different functions and uses. Inother words, the construction of the device becomes such that bycompression the ends or apices of the same are caused to approach eachother from their normal relative positions, and the side portions orwings that project from the indented back have or impart or allow motionin another direction or a plurality or motions in various directionsdifferentially, and upon said apices being released from compression andconsequent actuation they recover their normal relative positions, andthus said wings, as also the back parts, have or impart or allow acorresponding differential motion or plurality of differential motionsreciprocal to that or those due to the aforesaid compression, wherebythe availability of the device for various industrial applications isconsiderably extended, as hereinafter indicated, by way of example.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in whichFigures 1, 2, 3 are respectively back, side, and end views of theoriginal. device upon which the present invention is an improvement.Figs. 4, 5, 6 are respectively a back, side, and front view of one formof my present invention. Fig. 7 is a plan view of a blank from which thedevice shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6 may be formed, the dotted lines appearingthereon indicating the lines of fold and indentation. Fig. 8 is a backview of another form or variation of the device constituting my presentinvention. Figs. 9 and 10 are respectively back and end views of amodification of the form shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6, one of the sides orwings of the same being shorter than the other. Figs. 11 and 12 arerespectively back and side views showing a further modification. Figs.13, 14 and 15, 16 are sectional views of portions of the device shown inFigs. 11 and 12. Fig. 17 is a back view of a modified form of theinvention; and Fig. 18 is a plan view of a plate from which thedevicemay be formed, the same being made in parts or sections rivetedtogether. Fig. 19 is an edge view of the plate represented in Fig. 18.Figs. 20 and 21 are respectively back and sectional views of anothermodification. Figs. 22, 23, 24, and 25 are respectively a back view, aside view, a longitudinal section, and a cross-section of anothermodification. Figs. 26, 27, and 28 are respectively an end view, a planview, and a cross-section of another modification. Figs. 29 and 30 arerespectively a side view and a longitudinal section of anothermodification. Figs. 31 and 32 are respectively a top plan and end viewof another modification. Fig. 33 is a view showing the position thesides or wings of the device shown in Figs. 31, 32 assume when thedevice is operated. Fig. 34 is a cross-section on the line 34 34 of Fig.31. Fig. 35 is a horizontal sec tion on the line 35 35 of Fig. 32.

As already indicated, the original spring device X (illustrated in Figs.1, 2, 3) was formed of a resilient plate or blank by bowing it centrallyand then indenting the fold or back at right angles to and bisecting thelonger diagonal-to wit, an imaginary line extending centrally from endto end of the l back. Such indent is indicated by as in said Figs. 1, 2,3, and dotted lines y, Fig. 1, indicate a diamond-shape quadrilateralback formed of two equal and similar comparatively flat triangularportions whose bases meet or abut at the indent x and whose apices arepreferably constituted by and coincident with the bowed curved ends ofthe device. By applying pressure centrally to the said ends or apices .2of the device X the sides or wings of the latter are caused to moveinward or toward each other, and upon release of the compression theyrecede from each other, all opposing movements being coequal.

The construction of the device according to my present invention enablesirregular or differential movements to be produced which were notpossible with the original form X. Thus in one embodiment of theinvention represented in Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, the device A is provided withan indent l, which is arranged at an inclination to the longerdiagonal-to wit, an imaginary line connecting the ends or apices 2 2.Thus two comparatively flat triangular portions 3 are formed on oppositesides of the indent 1 but the same are dissimilar in form and unequal inarea. F ig'. 7 is a plan view of the blank from which the device A isformed, the quadrilateral, which is divided transversely by the indent1, being indicated by dotted lines. Upon actuation of the ends or apices2 of the device A the sides or wings 4 will have differential movementsor approach and recede from each other differentially in place ofapproaching and receding 'fiom each other in the regular manner of thedevice X. (Illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3.)

Differential movements may also be produced when the device isconstructed as indicated by A, Fig. 8, in which the indent 1 is at rightangles to the longer diagonal, but located nearer one end of the devicethan the other. In other words, the line of indentation 1 isperpendicular to the longer diagonal, but not located centrally orequidistantly between the ends 2. Thus two flat triangular portions 3are formed on opposite sides of the indent l but the same are unequal inarea and the longer diagonal does not bisect the said indent.

In the form A (shown in Figs. 9 and 10) there is the same arrangement asin Fig. 4 as respects the indent 1 but one of the sides or wings 4 ismade much shorter than the other, or, in other words, the upper wing isextended more than the lower one, and in consequence of thisconstruction, as also the fact that the two diagonals of the back do notbisect, the device A is well adapted to counterfeit the generalformation and functions of a birds wing or of apparatus where it isdesired to attain a plurality of differential movements or trajectories.

The device thus constructed is adapted for aeronautical purposes, theupper wing in such case partaking of the character of that portion of abirds wing which extends outward from the wrist-joint and the indent ofthe device partaking of the character of the more rigid body portion orwhich is anterior to the wrist-joint, it being understood that the upperend of the indent and the parts contiguous thereto constitute suchwrist-j oint.

In order to further simulate a birds wing, the upper extended wing maybe made of a very light yielding or elastic construction, and theindented back portion may be of a comparatively rigid and strongconstruction. The upper wing may be furnished with feathers orrepresentations of feathers, and the inner side of the indent may alsobe furnished with feather-like attachments whose outer ends may extendto or connect with the inner side of the upper'wing. The back portion ofthe device A may be so controlled that a fore-andaft vertical section,as also a vertical section from base to tip of the upper wing, willpresent the curved beginning and tangential extension characteristic ofa birds wing. Assuming the normal position of the wing to correspondwith such contour, upon applying pressure to the ends or apices of thedevice the triangular components of the back are caused to assume anacute or less obtuse angular relation, and thus the upper wing will havean outwardly and downwardly thrusting or clawing action which will beaccentuated if the device is compressed at a point below the apices ofthe triangular components. Thus two marked differential movements ortrajectories will be described-one by those parts of the back contiguousto the inner part of the wrist-joint about the other end of the indentas a centerand the other movement by the extended wing about thewrist-joint as a center. In such case it may be desirable to actuate thedevice eccentrically, and to provide for this or for indicating thepoints at which com pression is to be applied the ends or apices may beindented below or above the central line, as indicated at 2, Figs. 11and 12. In this case the device A is shown provided with an indent l,which is at right angles to the longer diagonal, as in Fig. 8, insteadof being inclined like 1 in Figs. 9 and 10.

It will be understood that the return of the wing to its normal positionwill result automatically when compression is released; but it may ofcourse be aided by mechanism that may be employed to actuate the wing.Differential resistances will be encountered in the downward and upwardstrokes of the wing, since in the downstroke the concave side of thewing will encounter a greater air resistance than the convex side in theupstroke.

In Figs. 11 and 12 the insets or notches 2 are arranged directly.opposite each other but since it may be found desirable to actuate thedevice by applying pressure at different distances from or on eitherside of the back diagonal the insets may be arranged one part of thewing at a greater distance than the other from the said diagonal whichintersects the indent. Thus they may be arranged diagonally instead ofdiametrically opposite or at various other points more-"or less removedlaterally from the diagonal, and when pressure is applied at such pointsthe irregularity of the movements of the sides or wings will be stillmore pronounced.

The end edges of the device may be reinforced, as indicated in Figs. 11to 16, inclusive. Thus the edge may be thickened, as at 5, (seeespecially Fig. 14,) or a separate strip may be attached by rivets orotherwise to the edge of the device, as indicated at 6 in Figs. 15 and16'. In brief, I propose to construct the reinforce in any preferredmanner, either integral or separate from the body of the device. Suchreinforce will assist the parts contiguous to or constituting the endsor' apices of the device in retaining their shape and a certain degreeof rigidity under all circumstances, but more particularly when theapices are subjected to compression for operating the device.

In Figs. 17, 18, and 19 I illustrate a device A*, whose body is made insections, the same being overlapped and riveted together. They mayobviously be brazed together or secured in any other manner which mayserve the purpose.

In order to increase elasticity and fleXibility along the lines of jointure of the back and wings, I may construct the device A as shown inFigs- 20, 21, with corrugations or crimps 7, the same extending from theends of indent 1 to the ends or apices, and prefer ably enlarging fromthe inner ends outward.

In Figs. 22 to 25 I show a device A having a double indent-that istosay, an indent 1 at two different points and on converging lines. Thuseach indent is inclined to the end-to-end diagonal, and a flat surfaceinter venes them. It is obvious the two indents 1 might be arrangedparallel instead of inclined to each other and might also beperpendicular to the diagonal.

In Figs. 26 to 28, inclusive, I illustrate a form A comprising an upperwing-8, which is much extended beyond the lower wing 9 and is alsocurved laterally and provided on its under side with a series of crossbars or strips 10, whose ends, as shown in Fig. 28, pass through thetransversely-curved back of the wing and are provided on the outer sidewith knobs or are otherwise so constructed the tongue 12closesautomatically-say by the resistance of the air; but when the wingsmove in the opposite direction the tongue opens and allows passage ofmatter through the opening. The free end of the tongue is provided witha lug or flange 12 (see Fig. 30) to arrest the tongue when closed andprevent its passing outward beyond the slot.

In Figs. 31 to 35, inclusive, I illustrate a double spring device A",the same being formed of two j uxtaposed, and similar springplates, eachconstructed with a long upper wing 13, extended from the indented back14, and the lower wings 15 being placed together and suitablyconnectedsay centrally by means of rivets or by any other means. VWnencompression is applied to the ends of this double device, the wings arecaused to vibrate, as will be understood by reference to Figs. 32 and33, one of which shows a normal lateral extension of the opposite wings13 and the other their downward deflection under the effect of actuatingcompression. It is of course to be understood that not only in thisinstance, but with relation to all of the other forms before described,the compression may be effected manually or actuating mechanism may bearranged to operate the wing or wings, and where a plurality of devicesare being operated all may be actuated in unison or otherwise.

The device as described is adapted to have, impart, or allow motion, butmay be utilized with certain modifications (more particularly that formof construction having a double indent) to distribute, counteract,absorb, or neutralize elasticity, motion, tension, or resistance.

In all forms of construction of' the improved device, excepting that inwhich the broadened or doubled indent is adopted, the back thereofconsists of other two diagonaled quadrilateral formations than thosereferred to in my application Serial No. 316,047 that is, of thosehaving diagonals which intersect each other at right angles whether onebisects the other or neither bisects the other and whether in any suchcase they be of equal length or of different lengths and of those havingdiagonals which. intersect each other obliquely or at an inclinationwhether they bisect each other or one bisects the other or neitherbisects the other and whether in any such case they be of equal lengthor of different lengths, and the said differen tial movements may beobtained as required by utilizing the quadrilateral formation havingdiagonals appropriately proportioned and arranged.

It will be seen that by the construction of the spring device in any ofthe forms described or other analogous ones I am able to obtaindifferential movements of the two wings or of either wing relative tothe other, or of either end or outer corner of each wing IlO relative tothe other end of the same, also of the triangular back components toeach other.

It is to be understood that in practice the device will be used invarious positions, inverted, inclined, or otherwise, as conditions mayrequire.

What I claim is 1. The spring device formed of a blank of resilientmaterial in bowed shape and having its back indented transversely, eachterminal of the indent being located farther from one end than the otherof the said back, substantially as described.

2. The spring device formed of a blank of resilient material in bowedshape,its sides or wings being concave 011 the inner side and its backhaving a transverse indent whose terminals are each located farther fromone end than the other of the said back, substantially as described.

3. The spring device formed of a blank of resilient material in bowedshape, its sides or wings being concave on the inner side and its backhaving a transverse indent, each terminal of the indent being locatedfarther from one end than from the other end of said back, substantiallyas described.

4. The spring device formed of a blank of resilient material, the samehaving a bowed shape and the back indented upon a line inclined to thelonger diagonal of said back, substantially as described.

5. The spring device formed of abowed blank of resilient material whoseopposing.

outwardly-projecting sides or wings are continuously curved from endtoend, and a back with which said wings are united upon curved: lines,the said back having an indent extending across it and two triangularcomponents extending from the indent, each differing from the other inconfiguration, substantially as described.

6. The spring device formed of a resilient blank having a bowed shapeand one of its opposing wings extended beyond the other, the back whichconnects the said wings being indented upon a line whose terminals arelocated at unequal distances from the ends of the back, substantially asdescribed.

. 7. The spring device formed of a resilient l blank having a bowedshape and one of its opposing wings extended beyond the other, the backwhich connects the said wings being indented upon a line that isinclined to the longer diagonal extending between the ends of the back,substantially as described.

8. The spring device formed of two resilient blanks each having a bowedshape and one of its opposing wings extended beyond the other, and theback which connects the differential wings. being indented upon a linewhose terminals are located at unequal distances from the ends of suchback, the lower wings being placed together and connected so that. thelonger upper wings extend outward in opposite directions, substantiallyas described.

9. The spring device formed of a resilient plate in a bowed shape, theback which connects the sides or wings thereof having separated indentsand the terminal of each indent being located farther from one end thanthe other of the said back, substantially as described.

.10. The spring device formed of a resilient plate in bowed shape andhaving two outwardly projecting, continuously curved wings, the backwhich connects them having separated indents extending across it andarranged at an angle to each other, the two triangular portions of theback extending from the respective indents to the ends of the back, anda flat portion intervening the indents, substantially as described.

11. The spring device formed of a resilient blank having a bowed shapeand one of its opposing wings extended beyond the other and the backwhich connects said wings being indented upon aline whose terminals are1 located at unequal distances from the ends of the back, and transversebraces applied to the under side of the longer Wing and looselyconnecting the side edges of the same, substantially as described.

12. The spring device formed of a resilient blank having a bowed shapeand one of its opposing wings provided with a springtongue whichnormally closes an opening in the wing and means for preventing the saidtongue from passing through the opening, it being free to open on theinner side of the wing, substantially as described.

13. The spring device formed of a resilient blank having a bowed shapeand its back indented upon a line whose terminals are located at unequaldistances from the endsof the back, the latter having insets located tothe side of the longer diagonal of the back, substantially as described.V

14. The spring device formed of a resilient blank having a bowed shapeand its back being indented upon a line whose terminals are located-atunequal distances from the ends of the back, the said ends beingreinforced substantially as and for the purpose specified.

15. The spring device formed of a resilient blank constructed insections which are rigidly connected, the back of such device beingindented upon a line whose terminals are located at unequal distancesfrom the ends ofthe back, substantially as described.

16. The spring device having a bowed shape and indented back providedwith corrugations extending from the terminals of the indent to the endsof the back, as shown and described.

. 17. The spring device formed of a resilient blank in bow shape, itsback being indented and the two triangular component surfaces thusproduced being dissimilar in size and configuration, substantially asdescribed.

18. Thes ring device forniedinbow shape, of a blank ol resilientmaterial and having its back indented and the outline thereof being anirregular or distorted diamond shape, as l shape and having opposinginwardly-concave sides or wings and an indented back which connects saidwings, the line of said indentation thereof and the diagonal extendingbetween the ends of the back intersecting, two triangular componentsurfaces dissimilar in configuration being thus formed on opposite 2osides of said indent, substantially as described.

WALTER VILLA GILBERT.

Witnesses:

SoLoN C. KEMoN, J. MIDDLETON.

